Teachers Institute

last updated: 1/29/19WFIT 2019 is for 6-12th grade teachers and non-formal educators. Complete the online application today. Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 17, 2019 by 5pm.

WFIT 2019 OVERVIEW

WHO: Priority is for 6-12th grade teachers and non-formal educators working in municipalities wholly or partially within the East and West of Hudson Watersheds or the 5 boroughs of NYC. Educators in upstate consumer municipalities may be considered if space is available.

– Earn over 40 Professional Development hours, including ~24 CTLE credit hours
– Practice over 25 hands-on lessons about watersheds and forestry.
– Receive and get trained in Project Learning Tree and Project WET curricula.
– Go on field trips to discover first-hand how well-managed forests and farms protect water quality in the NYC Watershed.
– Learn from inspiring peers & professionals and join an active community of practice of watershed educators.
– Develop an action plan for implementing watershed forestry themes into your teaching and learn about many programs and resources available to you.
– Access up to $500 of Teacher Assistance funding to implement your watershed forestry education plans.

The Watershed Forestry Institute for Teachers (WFIT) is a FREE 5-day, 4-night professional development educational program that immerses teachers in a hands-on study of New York City Watershed forestry, water quality science, and drinking water supply systems.

The mission of WFIT is to provide educators with the knowledge, inspiration and practices necessary to explore the connection between upstate watershed forests and downstate water quality with their students. Topics include water quality science, forest ecology and stewardship, sustainable development, engineering, New York history and community engagement.

Participation in the WFIT is also a pre-requisite for applying to WAC’s Green Connections program, which supports year-long partnerships between NYC and upstate watershed classrooms. The program involves a flexible 8-lesson curriculum, student pen pal exchanges, two shared field trips, and classroom visits.

ELIGIBILTY

Alternating each year, any formal or non-formal educator teaching either 4-8th or 6-12th grade students in New York City or the East or West of Hudson Watersheds is eligible to apply. Past WFIT participants may reapply once 5 years have passed since last attending WFIT.

– Unsure about your eligibility? Email education@nycwatershed.org.
– Teachers from the same team or school are strongly encouraged to apply.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Participation is limited to 25 teachers.

If a confirmed participant must cancel their participation, we ask that they do so at least 30 days prior to WFIT so that an alternate applicant may be invited to attend in their place.

1) Investigate the environmental and social dimensions of forestry, water quality, and the drinking water supply system through visits to NYC Watershed forests, farms, water supply system and environmental education sites.
2) Engage in active learning experiences to increase awareness and enrich personal content knowledge about the connections between forests, water quality and people.
3) Practice, discuss and share a variety of curricula that can be used to advance effective teaching and learning about forestry and the NYC Watershed.
4) Develop an Action Plan for incorporating select WFIT content into your curriculum or programs.

WFIT 2019 is held at Hidden Valley Camp at the Fresh Air Fund’s Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, NY. Two days are spent doing fieldtrips off-site.

Meeting spaces:WFIT group sessions are held in the Camp Hidden Valley main lodge and surrounding outdoor spaces.

Lodging:WFIT participants stay in comfortable, rustic cabins. Each cabin has several beds and an accessible bathroom with shower. Typically, 2 adults stay in each bedroom.

Meals:Healthy, seasonal meals are prepared for WFIT participants by Sharpe Reservation staff. Most special dietary needs can be accommodated. Lunch and dinner (but no breakfast) is provided on the first day. Breakfast and lunch are provided on the last day before departure.

Wireless Internet (WiFi):WiFi and cell service are available on site. Please note that wifi signal strength is unreliable.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDITS

Earn approximately 40 hours of professional development credit, of which are ~24 CTLE credit hours. WAC staff will provide a certificate of completed professional development hours. No college credits are available at this time.

TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR TESTIMONIALS

– “This was one of the best experiences of my life.” 2017 non-formal educator
– “I do a lot of PDs and this is one of the best, most organized, informative and inspiring I have ever done.” – 2016 Teacher
– “I know so much more about forestry and water now. Not only will I apply it to my everyday life, but I’m also going to pass it onto my students. I feel incredibly educated and informed.” – 2015 Teacher
– “I can’t wait to talk to our science teachers and all the teachers in my school about how to incorporate themes I’ve learned across curricula and across grades.” – 2014 Teacher
– “My students now appreciate their water and know the journey it takes to get to NYC from the watershed lands”. – 2013 Teacher
– “WFIT strengthened my appreciation of nature and the importance of getting my kids out in nature to ensure they become stewards of our local environment and the planet”. – 2012 Teacher
– “I see how our students benefit from our teachers’ participation in WFIT. Kids come back after graduating still talking about their watershed experiences, so I support it 100%”. – 2012 Principal
– “WFIT helps me share best practices with other teachers in urban and rural areas”. – 2015 Teacher

WFIT HISTORY AND FUNDING PARTNERS

The WAC Forestry Program – in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) and the USDA Forest Service – has developed a comprehensive approach to reaching teachers and students in the rural and urban communities that comprise the New York City watershed. This approach is characterized by four core efforts where information regarding forest stewardship and water quality is communicated. The Watershed Forestry Institute for Teachers (WFIT) forms the foundation of this approach by providing teachers with educational resources for use in their home classrooms.

The Watershed Forestry Institute for Teachers (WFIT) began in 1999 as a partnership between The Watershed Forestry Program of the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC), the Catskill Forest Association, the USDA Forest Service, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP).

NYC DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.4 million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam, and Westchester counties. This water comes from the Catskill, Delaware, and Croton watersheds that extend more than 125 miles from the City, and the system comprises 19 reservoirs, three controlled lakes, and numerous tunnels and aqueducts.

DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 scientists, engineers, surveyors, watershed maintainers and others professionals in the upstate watershed. In addition to its $68 million payroll and $157 million in annual taxes paid in upstate counties, NYC DEP has invested more than $1.5 billion in watershed protection programs—including partnership organizations such as the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Watershed Agricultural Council—that support sustainable farming practices, environmentally sensitive economic development, and educational opportunities like the Watershed Forestry Institute for Teachers. In addition, NYC DEP has a robust capital program with over $14 billion in investments planned over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year.